Present: THORNEY LAKES GOLF CLUB Minutes of Committee Meeting held On 8 th November 2017 at the Clubhouse Ian Macdonald (IM) Club Captain Gill Wilson (GW Ladies Captain Gerry Cannings (GC) Seniors Vice Captain Stuart Stirling (SS) Vice Captain Brian Harrison (BH) Treasurer Steve Brand (SB) Competition Sec Ian Fane (IF) Diary Vince Demilio (VD) Press The meeting opened at 19:37. 1. Meeting opened by IM. 2. Apologies for Absence Paul Cooper (PC), Graham Hustler (GH) 3. Minutes of previous meeting - : 11 th October 2017 Proposed LW, seconded BH, accepted as a true record. 4. Matters arising (unless covered by reports at current meeting) Item Description 6.1 Liaise with MT & SG regards Compressor footpath, showers & car park Action: Showers still not working in ladies & radiator not working. GW still getting same issue. ongoing 6.1 Constitution & rules update Action: LW/IM Proof been mislaid so IM to contact LW to forward it on for signing. Mark Director of golf has old & new copies to verify & sign 6.1 Course emergency protocols Action: IM complete awaiting proof & printing 6.4 Look into streamlining competitions Action: SB / IF ongoing 6.4 Order trophies & engraving for presentation evening Action: SB complete 6.7 Permanent marking for pump house i.e. blue stakes Action: IM/LW Blue markers around pumphouse awaiting rule to be displayed & on pumphouse itself. (free drop nearest point of relief) complete 6.12 Provide Media section A & B team results by the end of weekend played Action: LW Complete 7.1 Honours Boards to be updated Action: SB a working party suggested to get boards done ongoing. 7.1a Canvassing members for new committee members Action: All committee no volunteers Page 1
7.2 Replace courtesy car park signs. Action: SB ongoing 7.3 Write to TH & MW. Action: IM Saw MW in person. Written to TH Complete. 7.4 Junior Photo Action: SB GH ongoing Page 2 5. Diary IF/SB 6. Reports 6.1 Captain IM Written to marketing department of Robinson VW motor group with potential sponsorship of our A & B teams next season. IM has purchased some equipment for two fountains to be placed on the 9 th & 18 th holes. Only minor disruption to the course would be required for the infrastructure. They are 7ft x 7ft mushroom shaped fountains & potentially completed in the new year. Thanks to Reg Boot for the collection & planting of the tree between the 10 th tee & 18 th green in honour of Dennis Hartley. A big thanks for the captain s team players in beating the pro s team 12 & 5. 6.2 Ladies GW Can the ladies play with the seniors if they are over 55 in their roll ups, GC has no problems with that. 6.3 Seniors PC None. 6.4 Competitions SB Winter league up and running. Winter series up and running.
6.5 Juniors GH It is with some sadness that I write this report but on looking back there has been lots of fun and enjoyment over the last 4 years. I would like to thank the committee for the help and support that they have given me over this time, but I feel that the time is right for a new hand to guide the juniors. This year we have had 31 children attending compared to 38 last year, 45 in 2015 and 35 in 2014. The rookie sessions have been well attended but the juniors have not and the Junior Comps have been very poorly attended with only 5 out of the 10 attracting entries. I feel strongly that sports clubs have a duty to encourage and develop juniors in order to increase participation in the game and hopefully continue to play the game as adults. I was disappointed to see that you are questioning whether to continue with the juniors next year and I feel that this is short sighted. Throughout my time with the juniors I have had nothing but positive feedback. Parents and club members have always been supportive, interested and helpful. I have received balls, tees, clubs, bags and clothing from members for the juniors and the understanding on the course has generally been sympathetic. I hope that you find someone willing to take on the position of Junior Organiser and that they are able to develop the section further. Page 3 IM asked Mark the director of golf about a small subs fee as all other sporting clubs do this ie: football, rugby etc. Mark will raise the issue with the pro shop. 6.6 Scratch League Sub-Committee LW As small clubs struggle to field two teams the league have decided that a person may play for the A team four times before being discluded from the B team. It was clarified that a players priorities are England, county then club. People using the lincs cards are attending the golf courses inappropriately dressed. Alan the junior county organiser is retiring in Jan 2019 and would like someone to volunteer so they can work along side him to learn the role. We will still potentially be looking to field two teams again next year. The start time of 13:00 stipulated by the league is one of the main reasons why people don t or can t play, LW to see if we can play earlier if our opponents agree. 6.7 Rules & Handicaps LW New handicap changes in Jan 2018 but will be sorted by the software. Club & disability handicaps will be going. There will be two more handicap categories in addition to the current four, 5 & 6. This allows a handicap up to a maximum of 54 for all golfers & so to be uniform across the world. The intention is to encourage more people to hand scores in, this means that handicaps will not be capped at 28/36 and will increase to the new maximum of 54. No restriction on amount of supplementary scores that can be submitted. Reinforcing which stroke index is used for mixed competitions as only one must be used. Preferred lies: definition is closely mown grass ie: grass shorter than the fairway cut. Confusion as some of our mounds are too short. IM to contact SG with our concerns. If preferred lies are to be on the course it is officially 1 st Oct to 31 st March.
6.8 Greens Liaison IM/SG Bridges repaired. Gate fitted to course entrance. The members view of the course is that it is looking really good. Next couple of weeks when the leaves are all off the trees, SG is looking for some working parties to aid in pruning the trees. Plans to clean the 12 th lake and remove the sleepers and slope into the lake. The removed sleepers shall be used to make steps up to the 3 rd & 16 th tees with anti slip matting fixed to them. SG would like to thank all those that sent in their comments about the 16 th waste land. He would like to slope and grass the area, with a pot bunker. SG to approach the owner if there are funds to reintroduce the two bunkers short of the road on 9and the two on the 15 th. Page 4 6.9 Fund Raising Committee Xmas raffle. 6.10 Treasurer BH 560 to junior coaching. Cheques issued to captains charities individually making a total of 8,547 a big thankyou to all the members in raising such a fantastic amount. Jim Rorison to be auditor again. 6.11 Secretary None. 6.12 Press & Media Keep information coming in. Facebook is still the biggest source of information. 7. Any Other Business 7.1 Seniors asked if the bell could be reinstated on the 6 th & one installed on the 14 th. 7.2i GC asked if a page could set aside for senior & lady committee members in the diary. SS also stated that Anne Edwards asked for a diary page for the mixed matches. 7.3 SB asked about a new cabinet to be installed outside the changing rooms as the current one is falling to pieces. SB has already approached Brian Florence who is currently busy up till Christmas. Prices to be obtained. 7.4i IM mentioned that the green staff having been catching people that have not payed. The greenstaff will also be asking anyone on the course to show their bag tags with proof of membership. If any member has two bags you can ask for an additional member s annual sticker. 8. Meeting closed at 21:00. Date of next meeting: 13 th December 2017.
ACTION ITEMS Item Description 6.1 Liaise with MT & SG regards Compressor footpath, showers & car park Action: Showers still not working in ladies & radiator not working. GW still getting same issue. Ongoing 6.1 Constitution & rules update Action: LW/IM Proof been mislaid so IM to contact LW to forward it on for signing. Mark Director of golf has old & new copies to verify & sign 6.1 Course emergency protocols Action: IM complete awaiting proof & printing 6.4 Look into streamlining competitions Action: SB / IF ongoing Page 5 6.7 Contact SG with concerns over length on grass on mounds in relation to preferred lies Action: IM 7.1 Honours Boards to be updated Action: SB a working party suggested to get boards done ongoing. 7.1a Canvassing members for new committee members Action: All committee no volunteers 7.2 Replace courtesy car park signs. Action: SB ongoing 7.2i Additional diary pages for seniors, ladies & mixed. Action: IF 7.3 New notice board cabinet. Action: SB 7.4 Junior Photo Action: SB GH ongoing